Case Study - Susan and Steve

From Uncertainty to Confidence: Susan & Steve’s Retirement Strategy

You’ve done well. You’ve saved, invested, and built a life full of meaning and memories. But as retirement comes into focus, new questions begin to emerge:

“Are we actually ready?”
“Are we missing anything?”
“What’s the smartest way to start living off what we’ve built?”

You’re not interested in winging it. You want a plan grounded in reality—not rules of thumb. One that reflects your actual life, and helps you step into retirement with clarity and confidence.

Susan & Steve’s Situation

Susan and Steve are 54 and 56. Their two kids are nearly launched—one in college, one in grad school. Steve is considering early retirement, while Susan is still at the peak of her career.

They’ve saved diligently across 401(k)s, IRAs, and a taxable brokerage account. Their home is paid off. On paper, they look ready. But they don’t just want to “hope it’s enough”—they want to know.

Susan & Steve – Thoughtful Pre-Retirees

  • Ages 54 and 56

  • Married with two adult children

  • Considering retirement within 5 years

  • Own their home outright

  • Hold assets across multiple retirement and investment accounts

  • Seeking clarity, not guesswork

Financial Goals

  • Understand the earliest they can retire without financial stress

  • Coordinate income streams and withdrawals in a tax-efficient way

  • Create a sustainable retirement income strategy

  • Prepare for healthcare costs before and after Medicare

  • Update estate plans and legacy goals for their children

  • Feel confident, organized, and ready for what’s next

How We Helped

  • Performed a retirement readiness analysis, modeling multiple retirement timelines, income needs, inflation, and market risk

  • Consolidated investment accounts, aligning asset allocation and simplifying portfolio management

  • Built a tax favorable income distribution plan, coordinating Roth conversions, RMDs, and Social Security timing

  • Planned for healthcare costs, including ACA bridge coverage and Medicare enrollment strategies

  • Coordinated with an estate attorney to update their estate and legacy planning, including wills, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations

  • Provide proactive ongoing support—so they feel confident, year after year

Financial Planning Services Provided

  • Retirement Planning and Income Strategies

  • Investment Account Consolidation & Optimization

  • Tax-Efficient Withdrawal Planning

  • Healthcare Planning (Pre- and Post-Medicare)

  • Estate & Legacy Planning

  • Ongoing Plan Monitoring and Adjustments

Sound Like You?

You Don’t Need Another Spreadsheet—You Need a Strategy

Susan and Steve had done the hard work. But they didn’t want to just retire, they wanted to retire well. With intention. With confidence. With someone keeping an eye on the details.

1. You’ve Built the Foundation

You’ve saved and sacrificed—now let’s create a plan that makes it all count.

2. Tax Smart, Not Tax Surprised

Coordinated withdrawals and account sequencing can possible save thousands over your retirement years.

3. Make Your Money Work as Hard as You Did

You deserve more than a vague estimate. You deserve clarity, strategy, and flexibility.

4. Health and Legacy Matter Too

It’s not just about dollars—it’s about care, clarity, and the mark you’ll leave behind.

5. Retire with Clarity, Not Guesswork

Confidence comes from knowing your plan works—through all of life’s twists and turns.

Let’s Build Your Retirement Playbook—Together

We specialize in helping pre-retirees like Susan and Steve move from “almost” to “confident.”

Let’s create your plan for the long game.